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Review

When the Winter War erupted in November 1939, Finland mustered just 41 "modern" interceptors – Fokker D.XXIs – against hundreds of Soviet aerial aggressors.

The dauntless defenders quickly concluded contracts for fighters from England, Italy, France and the United States. And those warplanes comprise the contents of Finnish Fighter Colours 1939-1945 – the first of a terrific, two-part study from MMP and also available in North America from Casemate:

Bristol Bulldog II, IVa

Fokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator II

FIAT G.50

Morane-Saulnier MS 406

Brewster Model 239

Coverage of each aircraft divides into two parts: service summary in the "Winter" and "Continuation" conflicts – and camouflage & markings notes with selected aircraft examples.

Speaking of which: Karolina Holda's color profiles are simply superb. Hers remain some of the finest, most accurate I've ever seen. Now I know why she shares authorship with the legendary Kari Stenman.

Accounts also run rampant with fascinating facts. A "totally obsolete" Bristol Bulldog scored the "first aerial victory ever over Finland". Finland's first ace downed six Soviet bombers in just four minutes. And Finland's formula for temporary winter whitewash merely comprised a washable mix of chalk and glue!

Three appendices on Finland's national insigne, "numbers & letters," and camouflage colors – the last with Federal Standard matches for the country's distinctive Sotamaalaus ["Warpaint"] – conclude contents.

MMP has polished its deservedly resplendent reputation with gems like these. East-Front Axis aircraft enthusiast? Grab this book – now. I eagerly – and impatiently – await its sequel.